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Constituents have contacted me following speculation as to when the UK will leave the European Union. This matter has received heightened interest because the Government has proposed an amendment to the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill which would make it absolutely clear that Britain will be leaving at 11pm on 29 March 2019 (being midnight in mainland Europe). Those who are reluctant about Britain leaving the EU do not want this hard deadline imposed and would rather amend the Bill to permit a later date being used (or no such date at all).

Being returned as your MP meant I immediately returned to Parliament on the Monday after the General Election. It is nice to see some new faces in Westminster but sad not to see those more familiar, such as my colleague from Eastbourne, Caroline Ansell, one of the nicest people in politics.

We are leaving the European Union. Many readers may have thought that this news was established last June. For those less sure, the Prime Minister's speech this week should leave no one in any doubt that Britain will be leaving not just the EU but the single market and its customs union.

Today in Parliament, yet another attempt will be made to debate the merits of Britain's withdrawal from the European Union. The media are making this out to be some form of referendum by MPs on our status with the EU.

Last week I had to return home early from my Council of Europe meetings in Strasbourg to attend the weekly Opposition Day Debate in the House of Commons. The debate was about whether we should have a future debate about leaving Europe.